Suspension uncertainty for Inverness Caley Thistle defender

Josh Meekings in action for Inverness Caley Thistle

Steve Barton

Caley Thistle centre-half Josh Meekings is awaiting confirmation of the rules before discovering whether or not he will be able to play in the Scottish League Cup Final.

Meekings received a straight red card in the 92nd minute of yesterday’s semi final against Hearts for a foul on Scott Robinson, a decision that reduced his team to nine men following the earlier dismissal of his fellow centre half Gary Warren.

Amazingly, despite being down to nine men Caley Thistle equalised through Nick Ross in the 95th minute to send the match to extra time before going on to win a penalty shootout 4-2 to earn a place in the final against Aberdeen on March 16.

Speaking this morning (Monday, Feb 3), Meekings said the club will appeal his red card but there is some confusion as to just what games he would miss if he were to lose the appeal and be suspended.

He said: “The club has said they are going to appeal it. However, apparently if I don’t win the appeal I miss two games, the FA Cup match at Stranraer (this Saturday) and a league game and not the final.

“That’s what a lot of people have told me so I could still be involved in the final even without the appeal succeeding.”

Former Haverhill schoolboy Meekings, who is from Cavendish, is keen to discover his fate soon to enable him to prepare for the Stranraer match if still available.

He added: “There are a lot of different opinions about what is the right thing. I will just have to wait and see.”

Although unable to comment on the validity of the sending off, he did say: “I didn’t expect it anyway. Let’s just put it that way.”

Whatever the outcome of the appeal, Meekings, 21, played his part in an astonishing and dramatic match.

He said: “A lot of people said it was one of the best semi finals that’s ever happened. It was unreal.

“Obviously the game changed and went into their hands and when Nick (Ross) put it in I didn’t see it, all I could do was hear the cheers. I wouldn’t watch it because of the way my luck was going.

“It just shows the character we’ve got and how we are all together in this club.

“I think there’s really something special in the dressing room. It’s just something special to be involved in.”

It is the first time that Thistle has ever made it to the final of a major trophy, and Meekings added: “From my point of view I can’t really comment on anything right now but from the club’s point of view it’s a great achievement and we are looking forward to the final.”